IRAN: Stop the legalisation of women's oppression
'PROTECTION OF THE FAMILY' BILL
Update:
Since we began this petition, some articles of the bill have now been 'tabled for future evaluation and alteration'. Articles 22, 23, and 24 of the bill 'will be sent to a legal and judiciary committee for review to ensure that they are in accord with Islamic law'.
However, it is still vital that we keep up pressure on the Iranian Authorities to shelve the bill, which was first proposed three years ago by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's cabinet.
Iran's 'Protection of the Family Bill' is one of the most oppressive pieces of legislation that a government has ever considered ratifying.
According to the new bill:
- Men will be freer to practice Polygamy.
- Men will be able to re-marry without the consent or knowledge of the first wife.
- If a woman contracts a terminal disease
is away from home for 6 months
imprisoned for a bounced check
a husband will be able to take a new wife. - A woman's right to divorce is will be severely limited.
We call on men and women who seek justice to show their objection and opposition towards this Bill.
We urge you to give your support to women's organisations in Iran who are struggling for their rights.
We implore you to join us with one heart and one voice to express the world's discontent at the oppression of women in Iran.
Please sign this petition and send a clear message to the women of Iran that they are supported.
Thank you. The Safe World Media Team
www.asafeworldforwomen.org
Your Excellency Dr. Ahmadinejad,
We, the undersigned, are pleased to see that you are concerned about preserving family values in Iran.
However, we need to express to you our deep concern about the 'Protection of the Family Bill' which we feel sure will be seriously destructive to the family unit, with disastrous consequences.
This Bill, which legalises polygamy, simply does not uphold family values based on mutual love and respect and furthermore it sets harmful role models for the next generation.
The 'Protection of the Family Bill' does not reflect or encourage a civilised society which honours compassion, integrity and sound principles. On the contrary, it considerably lowers the image of Iran in the eyes of the world.
We implore you to ammend this Bill so that its content more accurately reflects its name and also the wishes of the Iranian people.
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this letter.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
